Why People Talk At Concerts

“Audiences go to gigs not just to listen to music. In my studies of audience behaviour, I found patterns of who talks, where they talk and why. The space occupied by audiences at gigs can be organised into three zones based on distinct types of activities found in each. Zone one, closest to the stage, is the most complicated in terms of physical engagement and has the youngest audience members. The second zone begins about a quarter of the way back into the venue. Interpersonal distances are greater and the audience older. Zone three, at the back of the venue, features the most varied activities and is where the music industry professionals stand — as well as those who don’t like the show.” A handy graph is included!